Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) South Yorkshire
protecting the countryside - for the nation, for the future

NIGHT FLIGHT NIGHTMARE

Countryside campaigners, CPRE South Yorkshire is opposing plans to allow night flights by loud freight planes from Doncaster’s Robin Hood airport.

Noisy aircraft like older Boeing 747s – known as QC4s – are currently banned from operating between 11pm and 7am, but the airport owners, Peel, has officially applied to have the restrictions lifted. CPRE SY says that an increase in noise at night will disturb local people, especially those in and around Finningley, Bawtry, Harworth and Armthorpe. It is also worried that it will affect the tranquillity of surrounding countryside, including the Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve.

“If the current restrictions are lifted, it would mean a doubling of noise levels. In some cases, the noisiest freight planes could be nearly four times as loud as night flights that are allowed now,” says John King, planning officer at CPRE SY.

Peel has argued that relaxing the ban will attract new freight business and make Robin Hood Airport more competitive. However, CPRE SY points out that Manchester, Leeds Bradford and all the London airports have night time restrictions on QC4 planes. And whilst Liverpool’s John Lennon airport does allow them, most take off over the sea and into the prevailing wind, avoiding residential areas.

CPRE also argues that even if the ban was lifted, freight companies wouldn’t use Robin Hood airport because the road network couldn’t cope.

“The idea of noisy night flights at Robin Hood is a non-starter. We seriously urge Doncaster Council to reject the plans and allow local people to sleep at night in peace,” adds John King.